Beer tap



March 3, 1936. o. J. LE-INS BEER TAP Filed Aug. 21, 1933 INVENTOR. 055a)J, 62225 BY 46km 7W,

Wow 791,, 72W 9 ATTORNEY} Patented Mar. 3, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFIQE 2,032,995 BEER TAP Application August 21,

8 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved tap particularly adapted forconnecting the delivery tube of a draft apparatus with beer barrels,whether metal, wood or composition, although the tap may be used withother liquid containers from which the contents thereof are drawn-off bya draft tube.

The general purpose and object of my invention is to provide a tap whichmay be readily and easily applied to the tap fitting oi a beer barrel orother container for connecting the delivery tube thereto and whenapplied will effectively seal the joints between the tap and the tapfitting and between the tap and the delivery tube.

A further object of my invention is to provide a tap in which thepackings are compressed into sealing relation with the tap fitting andthe deii'v'ery tube, respectively, through the clamping means with whichthe tap is equipped for clamping it on the tap fitting.

A further object of my invention is to provide the clamping means with asingle operable member, whereby only one element need be grasped andmanipulated to connect the tap to the container and seal the tap fittingand tube joints, respectively.

Another object of my invention is to provide this single operable memberwith a handle or equivalent readily accessible part, not only tofacilitate its operation, but to prevent the grasping of the wrong partto delay the clamping and sealing action of the tap in connecting thetube to a barrel.

Another object of my invention is to provide a spring or equivalenttension in the clamping means to effectively seal the fitting joint andto permit the sealing of that joint in advance of the sealing of thetube joint.

Other and further objects of my invention will o appear from thefollowing specification taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawing, in which Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view with parts inelevation of a tap of my invention shown applied to the tap fitting of ametal container, and connecting a delivery tube thereto; and

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

In the drawing, I indicates the top wall of a metal container, such as asteel beer barrel. 2 indicates the metal tap fitting secured to the wallI about the discharge opening 3 therein as in containers of thischaracter. The fitting 2 extends outwardly from the container wall andis provided with a tubular ta-p connecting member 4 1933, Serial No.685,999

the bore 5 of which extends through the member and connects at its innerend with the interior of the container through the discharge opening ofthe latter, as shown. A plug usually in the form of a cork (not shown)is tightly fitted in the bore 5 when the filled container is shippedfrom the brewery. The member 4 is provided at or adjacent its upper orouter end with a plurality of laterally, outwardly extending lugs 6, 6providing tap attaching means on the fitting as in fixtures of thistype. The undersides of these lugs are preferably fiat and are in thesame general horizontal plane.

The tap of my invention comprises a tubular outside casing I having aplurality of inwardly extending lugs B, 8 at or adjacent its lower endto engage under the lugs 6 on the fitting member 4 as shown in Fig. 1.The lugs on both elements as shown in Fig. 2, are circumferentiallyspaced to provide slots or spaces 9, III, respectively, between them,whereby the lugs on the casing may pass between the lugs on the fittingon applying the tap to and removing it from the fitting. The lugs arebrought into holding or clamping relation on turning the casing withrespect to the fitting when the casing lugs are positioned below thefitting lugs. This provides a detachable bayonet joint connection forthe tap with the fitting.

Disposed within the casing 1 is a bushing I I having its bore I2 inregister with the bore 5 b when the bushing and fitting member 4 are inconnected relation as shown. To center these parts, the bushing II hasits lower end reduced, as at I3, to enter and fit in the upper end ofthe bore 5. The fitting 2 has an outside flange or wall I4 surroundingthe member 4 and in spaced relation thereto to provide a guiding andreceiving recess or socket for the lower end of the casing I whenapplying the tap to the fitting. An annular packing or gasket I5 of thedesired compressible and sealing material, such as rubber, is carried bythe bushing I I adjacent its lower end I3, the latter having an annularrecess It on its outer side to receive and hold the gasket. This gasketis adapted to seat on the upper end of the member 4 to seal the jointbetween the bushing and said member when the gasket is compressedagainst the member by the bushing in the clamping of the tapon thefitting 2.

Located at the upper end of the bushing I I and supported thereby is apacking or gasket I'I. fhe latter is in the form of a collar andtogether with the bushing I I embraces the delivery tube I8 used withthe tap when the tube is inserted into the container through the tap andthe fitting 2 as shown in Fig. 1. The packing Ill directly engages theouter surface of the tube I8 above the bushing and when compressed bythe clamping means to be presently described seals the joint between thetap and the tube. The packing I'I, like the packing I5, is made of thedesired compressible and sealing material, as rubber. The lower end ofthe tube I8, that is, that portion which is inserted into the container,is slotted or otherwise apertured for entry of the liquid content of thecontainer into the tube for drawing off or didpensing purposes, as instructures of this character.

The clamping means referred to comprises a rotatable member, preferablyin the form of a sleeve I9, fitting in the upper end of the casing Iabout the packing I! and having threaded connection with the casing asshown. This gives the member I9 the function of a nut and when turnedhas relative axial movement with respect to the casing 1. The nut I9fits freely over the upper end of the bushing II to retain the lattercentral in the casing. The nut has an inwardly extending flange orabutment 20 at its upper end to overlap the adjacent end of the packingI! and compress the same into sealing relation with the tube I8 when thenut or member I9 is turned in a clamping direction, that is, into thecasing I.

A coiled spring 2| of the desired resiliency or strength surrounds thebushing I I between a rib or abutment 22 thereon and the lower end ofthe nut I9 as shown. This connects the nut with the bushing II andenables the nut when turned in a clamping direction, that is, into thecasing I, to force the bushing toward the fitting member 4 to compressthe packing I5 between them and also draw the casing outward from saidmember to bring the lugs 6, 8 into firm clamping or holding relation.The yielding connection provided by the spring 2I enables the casing Ito be clamped to the fitting 2 and the lower seal established before theupper packing is compressed. By this arrangement, the tube I8 does nothave to be inserted into the container simultaneously with the clampingof the tap on the fitting 2.

In applying the tap to the container, the casing I is applied over thefitting member 4 and turned to interengage their lugs 6, 8. This fitsthe bushing II to the member 4, whereupon the clamping member 19 by itshandle 23 is turned in a clamp- .ing direction to draw the lugs of thecasing against those of the member and to compress the packing I 5between the bushing I I and the memher 4 to seal the joint between thetap and the fitting 2, The tube I8 is then inserted into the tap andforced against the plug in the tap fitting to dislodge it into thecontainer. When the tube reaches the bottom of the container, the nut I9is turned further to compress the packing I1 and eal the joint betweenthe tap and the tube. This cl mp ng and sealing action may beconveniently and quickly performed a it is necessa to manipulate onlyone clamping means, that is, the nut 19.. in prov din the latter with ahandl as at 23, its manipulation i rea ly facilitated as no tools areneed d or required to turn it, Moreover, the handle :23 is a visibleindication at all times f the part o be turned, thereby avoiding d l yin establishing the connection and the seal as the op ra or c nno m takehe part to be turned. Th sp in 21 also provides a yiel a le tensionallowin the p op r adju ment to establish effective leakproof joints atthe seals.

The bores of the member 4 and the bushing I I are li ht y lar er indiameter than the outside diameter of the tube I8 whereby the gaspressure supplied from the pipe 24 may freely flow into the interior ofthe container for forcing the contents therefrom through the tube I8.Bushing I I is equipped with a nipple 25 for the gas supply tube or hose24. This nipple extends laterally from the bushing and is connectedtherewith between the packings I5, I! as shown. The casing I is providedwith slots or openings 26 on opposite sides for the nipple. In this way,the nipple may be extended from either side of the tap, the bushingbeing turned to position its nipple opening at either slot before thenipple is applied. The slots may be made wide enough for adjustment ofthe nipple Within limits to position it free of any obstructions whichmay be present where the container is racked or stored.

With the lower packing I5 extending beyond the lugs 8 and the nipple 25extending through one of the slots 26, the bushing II and associatedparts are retained in assembled relation and' are prevented fromdropping out of the casing "I when the tap is removed from a fitting.The parts are compact, retain their assembled relation as .a unit at alltimes, and provide an effective and efficient tap construction.Moreover, the latter is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

The details of construction and arrangement of parts shown and describedmay be variously changed and modified without departing from the spiritand scope of my invention except as pointed out in the appended claims.

'I claim as my invention:

1. A tap for connecting a delivery tube to a tap I fitting of a beerbarrel, comprising a packing between the tap and the tap fitting, apacking between the tap and the delivery tube, a coupling having abayonet joint connection with the tap fitting, a nut in threadedconnection with the coupling for clamping the coupling to the tapfitting and compressing the packings into sealing relation with thefitting and the tube, respectively, and a yielding connection betweenthe nut and the packing for the tap fitting for cornnr s n he packin forthe fit i g in a v nc of the packing for the tube.

,2. A tap for connecting a delivery tube to a tap fitting of a beerbarrel, comprising a casing having detachable eonnection with the tapfitti g, a bushing shiftable lengthwise in'the casing and adapted toembrace the delivery tube, pack, n s wi h n he as ng at he opposi e endsf the bushing, one for the tap fitting and the other f r th tu e, a c amm mb r hread d y co ne ted w h the casing and a ting th ugh. the bushito lamp h casing o the fitting a d mpress t e pa kin f r h fi ng t sea nrelation therewith, said clamping member having me ns c an b e wi h th oher pack n compres in it i to seal n rela n with t e tube,

and a co le sp in a u he ushi g pr viding a yielding connection for theclamping member with the bushing.

3. A tap for connecting a delivery tube to a tap fitting of a beerbarrel, comprising an outer cash v ng fi tin en n lugs '1 i WI en aushin sh fta e e h se th casi packings within the casing, one at theupper end of the bushing and embracing therewith the glelivery tube wheninserted into the tap, the other packing being carried by the bushing atits lower end and seatable on the fitting when the tap is attachedthereto, a clamping nut threadedly connected with the casing about theupper packing and having a flange engageable therewith, a

coiled spring about the bushing between an abutment thereon and the nut,and a handle member connected with the nut for turning the same.

4. A tap for connecting a delivery tube to a tap fitting of a beerbarrel, comprising an outer casing having fitting engaging lugs at itslower end, a bushing shiftable lengthwise in the casing, packings withinthe casing, one at the upper end of the bushing and embracing therewiththe delivery tube when inserted into the tap, the other packing beingcarried by the bushing at its lower end and seatable on the fitting whenthe tap is attached thereto, a clamping nut threadedly connected withthe casing about the upper packing and having a flange engageabletherewith, a coiled spring about the bushing between an abutment thereonand the nut, and a nipple for a pressure hose connected with the bushingbetween the packings, said nipple extending laterally outward from thebushing through an opening in the casing.

5. A tap for connecting a delivery tube to a tap fitting of a liquidcontainer, comprising an outer casing having detachable connection atits lower end with the tap fitting, packings within the casing, oneadjacent its lower end for the fitting, and the other adjacent the upperend of the casing for the tube, a clamping member adjustably mounted onthe casing and engaging the upper packing for compressing it intosealing relation with the tube, and means in the casing between thepackings for transmitting the clamping action of said member to thelower packing to compress it into sealing relation with the fitting,said means being yieldable whereby the lower packing may be compressedin advance of the upper packing.

6. A tap for connecting a delivery tube to a tap fitting of a liquidcontainer, comprising an outer casing having a detachable connection atits lower end with the tap fitting, packings within the casing, oneadjacent its lower end for the fitting and the other adjacent the upperend of the casing for the tube, a clamping member adjustably mounted onthe casing and engaging the upper packing for compressing it intosealing relation with the tube, means in the casing between thepaclc'ngs for transmitting the clamping action of the clamping member tolower the packing to compress it into sealing relation with the fitting,said means being yieldable whereby the lower for the tube, a clampingmember adjustably mounted on the casing and engageable with the upperpacking for compressing it into sealing relation with the tube, abushing disposed between the packings to embrace the tube and transmitthe clamping action of the clamping member to the lower packing tocompress it into sealing engagement with the fitting, and a nipple for apressure hose connected with the bushing between the packings, saidnipple extending laterally outward from the bushing through an openingin the casing.

8. A tap for connecting a delivery tube to a tap fitting of a liquidcontainer, comprising an outer casing having means for detachablyconnecting the lower end of the casing to the tap fitting, packingswithin the casing, one adjacent its lower end for the fitting and theother spaced thereabove and cooperable with the tube, clamping meanshaving a direct threaded interconnection with the casing and operable tocompress the upper packing into sealing relation with the tube, abushing engaged with and spacing the packings and providing a wallportion embracing the tube between the packings, said bushing providingseats for the packings and serving to transmit the clamping action ofthe clamping means to the lower packing to compress it in sealingengagement with the fitting, said outer casing having an elongatedopening extending lengthwise of the casing opposite the bushing, and apressure hose connecting means carried by and connected with theinterior of the bushing between the packings and extending outwardlyfrom the bushing through said opening in the casing, the wall portion ofthe bushing between the packings being imperforate, except for theopening provided in said wall portion for the pressure hose connectingmeans.

OSCAR J. LEINS.

